One of the charms of leather products is that their appearance changes with continued use. As you continue to use them, you will suddenly notice that the color has deepened and the luster has developed that was not visible when the product was new.
This time, we will introduce the aging of bridle leather .
What we are showing you is a bridle leather product that has been used daily by our production staff . Please take a look at the deep luster and color change that has appeared after the bloom has fallen off.
Reviewing the characteristics of bridle leather
Bridle leather is a type of leather originally developed in England for use in horse tack.
Munekawa uses bridle leather from the British tannery " Thomas Ware & Sons ."
When new, you may notice a white powder-like substance floating on the surface. This is called "bloom," and is the wax that has soaked into the leather and has come to the surface.
This is a feature not seen in other leathers. Some people worry that this is dirt or mold , but please rest assured. Bloom is a sign that the leather is of high quality.
As you continue to use it, the bloom will naturally disappear and the leather will develop a natural luster.
Tuck Green IC Card Case
First up is the green Tuck bridle leather IC card case , a favorite of our production staff.
I've been using it for about a year .
The aging of leather, especially the change in color, occurs due to fine scratches and oils on the surface. It is relatively more scratch resistant than Buttero, so it tends to age more slowly .
However, after a year of use, I can see that the color is gradually deepening. An IC card case is an item that you will pick up every day on your commute. Because you touch it so often, it is one of the products that is most susceptible to changes in the leather.
▶︎ For details on the Tuck Bridle Leather IC Card Case, click here.
Enfold Coin Red
Next up is the Enfold Coin Bridle Leather in red, another staff favorite. I've been using it for about a year and a half .
Like the Tuck IC card case, the color change may not be noticeable yet, but it does seem to have a slightly glossier finish.
Both bridle and buttero red will develop a deep, rich red over time.
You will begin to feel a unique presence that is different from the warm red you first get. "It will take some time, but we're looking forward to seeing how it develops," said one of our staff members.
▶︎ Enfold Coin Bridle Leather Click here for details
Thin Coin Purse Undo Green
Lastly, we have the Undo slim coin purse in green bridle leather (currently sold out).
I've been using this for about a year and a half now.
This coin case takes advantage of the leather's natural ability to soften and become more comfortable with continued use. As you use it, the leather gradually loosens and becomes thinner, making it easier to take coins in and out.
The Undo used by our staff is starting to show signs of wear and tear.
Bridle leather has an image of being expensive, but it is surprisingly easy to handle , as it is relatively resistant to scratches and is coated with wax, making it less likely to dry out.
One of the staff who uses Undo said, "I only do a little light maintenance on a daily basis and use it roughly without any worries."
▶︎ Thin Coin Purse Undo Bridle Leather Click here for details
Care for bridle leather
When first using bridle leather, simply wipe it dry with a soft cloth. If you use oil or other products to care for your leather when you first start using it, it may actually cause the surface of the leather to become cloudy .
The bloom will naturally blend in as you use it, so there is no need to force it off.
Once the bloom has been removed and the leather's natural appearance is revealed, moisturize it with a small amount of special cream only when you notice dryness. The basic principle is " use is the best care ." The best way to care for leather is to keep using it every day.
Leather is a material that reflects the time of its user
This time we introduced the aging process of the bridle leather products used by our staff.
Even the same product will develop different expressions depending on who uses it and how they use it. The items used by our staff that we introduced here will surely evolve into even more unique leather accessories in the future.
At Munekawa, we handle a variety of leathers, including bridle leather, buttero, cordovan, and chrome-tanned leather, which ages slowly.
Each piece has a different texture and ages differently, so we hope you will enjoy looking at Munekawa's leather accessories and feeling the differences.
If you are in the area, please feel free to visit the Munekawa directly managed store in Daikokucho, Osaka.
▶︎ Click here for details on Munekawa Direct Store
▶︎Related article: "Staff Interview: What is the Munekawa Direct Store Like?"
Preview: Will water stains on cordovan disappear?
I have some cordovan Cram shoes that have what appear to be water stains. Cordovan is known to be a material that is weak against water, so will these water stains blend in and become less noticeable with use?
Our production staff have started using Cram and will be tracking its progress. We plan to report regularly on our blog how the water stains change over time.
Stay tuned for further updates.
Related article: The texture of aged Horween Cordovan: A year and a half old L-shaped zipper wallet, Cram
